Letters to the Editor
The views and opinions expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Merrill Foto News, its publishers, Editor, or staff.
To the Editor:
WILL LINCOLN COUNTY SURVIVE? – Part 2
At the last Lincoln County Board (LCB) meeting, a 134-page survey was presented and it was suggested to REDUCE the available beds by 40 beds OR down to 120 beds to save money. Pine Crest (PC) is now under the management of North Central Health Care (NCHC) so LCB doesn’t have much input anymore (although I find three LCB members serve on NCHC board) BUT they still have to pay the bills! The October 8, 2021, NCHC reports PC shows a loss YTD $1,173,487 (get this–$412,070 worse than budgeted). In layman’s terms, this means when the budget is approved, PC is known to be in the RED! Lincoln County taxpayers have to come up with this difference by giving up services, road improvements, etc.
What is going to happen to an empty building? How can it be put to income-producing space? Does anyone have any plans or ideas? How long will Lincoln County be able to continue? Or are we just going to become part of Marathon County when LC is bankrupt?
– Leona Vander Sanden
Gleason, Wis.
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